Why CMHA?
As a 2022 Hartford Courant Top Workplace and one of the largest behavioral health care providers in Connecticut, we have 40 years of experience in delivering mental health and addiction services to over 7,300 children, adolescents, and adults annually.
Internal mobility is a focus at CMHA with 6 members of our leadership team growing from individual contributors to Senior Leaders.
CMHA is looking to hire a Child and Family Support Specialist for our School Based program. This position will be located in Waterbury Public Schools.
Position Summary: The School-Based Child and Family Support Specialist (CFSS) serves as an active member of a multidisciplinary team that provides assistance and support to facilitate client’s behavioral, emotional and social development and learning in school and within the community. This includes providing debriefing and other supportive interventions with staff, students, and caregivers following behavioral incidences that may have resulted in disciplinary outcomes (i.e. suspensions) or crisis intervention (i.e., EMPS, emergency department visit, in-patient admission), as well as re-engaging students back to school who are demonstrating attendance issues or who are at risk of expulsion by utilizing an effective wrap-around model to address family needs. The CFSS will also provide case management services to students and their families, both in school and in the community, who are in need of additional wrap-around support. Case management services may include treatment planning, advocacy, linkage, referrals, and crisis intervention.
Responsibilities:
- While on-site at assigned schools, support specialist will respond to and support students’ social and emotional needs when it is appropriate to do so alongside school staff or CMHA clinical staff. This may include facilitating social-emotional curriculums and/or co-facilitating mental health or substance use interventions alongside clinicians.
- Utilize a strength-based approach and motivational interviewing techniques to support students who are demonstrating chronic attendance issues. Support specialist will offer home and community visits with these students as needed and requested by the district.
- Provides case management services, such as communicating with schools, pediatricians, DCF, juvenile court, and other social service agencies
- Supports client’s recovery plan goals
- Provides case management services, advocacy, and assistance to clients with linkage to services.
- Collaborates with school and district staff to provide consult and participates in school and district-based committees, such as (but not limited to) SRBI and Crisis Support.
- Assures timely documentation is maintained in accordance with CMHA policies and procedures, including but not limited to progress notes, treatment plans, authorizations, program orientation, consent to treat, activity logs, and monthly targeted case management notes.
- Maintains appropriate caseload of 25-35 students/families at a time and/or as determined by CMHA and funder.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) and knowledge of cultural values, traditions, and practices of the communities we serve.
- Bachelor’s Degree in social worker or related counseling field required
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working with youth with social/emotional/behavioral difficulties; or comparable education and/or internship experience within a human service-related bachelor’s level program
- Experience working with children and family systems
- Beginner to intermediate experience Microsoft Office products including Word and Outlook
- Valid CT driver’s license and ability to provide own transportation.
- Certified in Mandt, First Aid and CPR (or obtained within three months of hire)
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system
- Certified in Mandt, First Aid and CPR
- Experience working with children and family systems
COMPENSATION RANGE - $18-$22 additional $1/hr for bilingual candidates
We care about our employees by offering Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance packages that help you strike a harmonious work-life balance. We also care about your future with a 403(b) retirement savings plan with CMHA matching starting after 1 year of service. CMHA also offers
- 9 paid holidays off
- 2 CHMA/Personal days for you to have the opportunity to celebrate the important traditions of the year with your loved ones
- Up to 24 days of PTO that increases with years of service
- Paid agency closure between Christmas and New Year’s (except 24/7 programs)*must be approved annually
- Company paid Life Insurance and Long Term Disability
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling, coaching, and wellness resources for staff as well as members of their household
- Higher education tuition discounts at participating schools through the Alliance’s academic partnerships
- Employee discounts for shopping, the New Britain YMCA, travel, and entertainment
- Free employee subscriptions to the calm app
- Annual Company Picnic
- CMHA-sponsored Loan Reimbursement Program and Scholarship Program
- Free Student Loan Wellness for eligible employees and their family members access to: Student loan consolidation and refinancing
- Loan payoff projection dashboard
- Coaching and support via chat, email, and phone
- College cost calculator
- College financial planning
- 3 NHSC-approved sites for federal student loan repayment
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Enhancement for eligible employees access to:
- Automated Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form management for past and present employers
- Automated reminders for annual (PSLF) recertifications to help you stay on track
- Resources and ongoing communications that make PSLF understandable
- The opportunity to receive the national average of $72,000.00 in forgiveness
Community Mental Health Affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer except in the case of a bon fide occupation qualification or as otherwise permitted or required by law, does not discriminate of the basis of race, color, age, disability, sec, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical condition including by not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familiar status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.
Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Company’s Human Resources Department.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Patient demographics:
Schedule:
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Waterbury, CT 06702: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person